Life is still, stable and calm on the farm. Dixie and Davis (LGD's) have the goats in the back pasture covered. Levi and Whisper (LGD's) have the sheep and chickens in the front pasture covered. The donkeys are up front by the pond eating all the grass they can, also deterring predators from getting close. Things are good. We did separate out Chia and Georgia while we await Chia's kid goat(s). We decided to keep her safe and in a secure environment for which to deliver her kids, and have her best friend there as well. The same pen that was once Whisper's recovery location in the barn, now belongs to Chia and Georgia, two little Nigerian Dwarf goats - both female. They have a small place whereby they can go in/out their (once doggie) now goat door, into a fenced area of grass. Inside is a 10 X 10 cement area with a nesting area for Chia, and outside is plenty of hay and grass, and fresh water. We wait. It seems like any day now she'll give birth, but I guess it's just not time yet. Her udders are rather full, and the basketballs attached to her sides are making her look lopsided.
We did not separate out Nona, but kept her up close to the barn. And after losing her twins, we decided to take more control of the goat birthing process. The sheep had their lambs with little restriction, and they did really well. After they had their lambs, when we would separate them them for a few days to allow mama and babies to bond. Lambing seemed to be a breeze compared to this kidding process. So after our experience with Nona, we decided to try this new closed environment, so we could get a better handle on things when she does go into labor (of course, assuming we are here).
I'm going to backtrack and say that we have no male goats of which to impregnate our does. We have one wether, Twizzler, but he's like one of the girls. What a sweetie, he is! So how have we had two goats show up pregnant? Turns out the guy we had bought them from, had been allowing males to be in the same pens. So he's selling his goats, not even knowing if they are pregnant, and turns out we have another one (Chia) whose udders started filling.....and then we knew. Our success rate with baby goats (kids) is 0%.
So when we were given another chance at assisting with a baby goat, I thought that was a good idea. It all started with going to the feed store (where they also sell goats and sheep) to pick up some gas/oil mix for the weed eater. It's just a few miles away, and a fast and easy way to get things quickly, and so we bounced up there real quick-like on Saturday. We grabbed the gas/oil mix, and upon paying, somehow stumbled on the conversation of sheep/goats, and how they have a 1/2 day old baby kid goat whose mama won't feed it. They said its twin had already died, and it likely will, too. We then volunteered to take it, and try our best to get some colostrum in him, and see if he can turn around, and possibly survive. They took little time in giving us colostrum, nipples and water - along with the small (boy) kid who seemed hungry. And off we go, with a new farm animal. First stop? The Dollar Store for a real baby bottle and smaller nipples, as we've had success with that. There in the parking lot of the Dollar Store, we mix up a fresh bottle of colostrum, and sure enough, David is able to get this new little one to drink a few ounces. Wow, I'm thinking. This is going to be easier than I thought. The feed store had previously given us a 1 day old lamb (Belle) to try and save, and she did make it. But frankly, it was because the Vet saved her twice for us, when she tried to die on us. But now, it's Memorial Day weekend, and there's no Vet to run up to. It's all on us now.
One thing that really stood out to David and I was that the guy at the feed store said, "No need to get kid replacement milk yet, you can come back it is survives." (after getting colostrum for a day or two). I thought certainly, we can't think this situation for this kid goat is that bad, or is it?
We leave the Dollar Store parking lot, and make our way back home with this 1/2 day old kid. Things are looking up, and we have gotten some colostrum in him. We attempted to name him, and upon David's advice (another omen), said, "Let's sleep on it". i.e. "Let's wait and see how things are going in the morning". So, Saturday time kept ticking, and Little One did what these little ones do, and began refusing any liquid. We've been down this road. It's a road of force feeding. It's walking the fine line of trying hard to save an animal that may not be able to be saved. But we kept at it. An ounce here, and ounce there. But he became weaker, and no matter what, there was no going back. By Saturday night, we had accepted that: 1) He will not likely make it though the night, and 2) If he did, we could likely keep him alive after all. But as Saturday time moved forward, so did his inability to survive, no matter what we did. I even tried a fluid subcutaneous bolus (thank you, Tractor Supply who has these types of supplies) and honey in his little mouth to increase his blood sugar. He had gotten where he refused to swallow. Simply refused. Only a NG tube to his belly would get colostrum in him, and I could not get my hands on that. So after trying everything in our arsenal of survival techniques, we used a dropper and tried to get what we could down to his stomach. Night fell, and I placed Little One in a box with towels to sleep beside us. Maybe he would wake up in the night and take something, be hungry, or willing to try? High hopes, there girlie.
The sun went down Saturday night with everyone on the farm in good spirits. The sheep are sheared and content. The goats are all doing well outside, the chickens are happy and tucked in tight for the night in the barn. Things are overall - good. But as good as they are outside, they are equally not-good inside the house. Little One is now sleeping soundly, and tired from the day. We are weary, and still holding onto a sliver of hope. We all close our eyes to allow sleep to heal us, rejuvenate us and bring us a new, beautiful day to Rise and Shine.
It was at 3 am that Little One began bleating. His cute little sounds were music to my ears. I hop up, and had a bottle ready for him. He refused. He's talking, certainly he wants to have something to drink. (**Side note: I did take him to see Nona, earlier in the day, whose udders are still full from her recent birthing, but she wanted NOTHING to do with Little One. It was worth a try). Nothing, no thanks, Little One keeps insisting. He's talking and talking his sweet cries, all while refusing, even when I use the dropper, he will not swallow, and it all keeps coming out the side of his mouth. It's now 4 am, and he's back asleep. This is not good. I get up. I make coffee and try to figure this all out. I know the outcome of all this. I had been informed yesterday of this. I kept trying anyway, just in case God decided a miracle was available for this Little One. No miracle came.
Little One passed by 5 am, peacefully sleeping, peacefully dying. It was heart breaking. I've gotten better about knowing not all farm animals are going to live. It's still hard - every time - to let go. The lump in my throat forms, that is then followed by tender tears. Why? There is no why. My Will is not done - and God's Will be done. Giving these types of things to God is what helps me through these journey's. Hope and faith, and trust in Him to know that what's happening is what will happen. It helps me through these dark moments, as faith is what sees us through it all.
Little One is buried next to our other two recent kid goat loses, the twin girls. Still at 0% success rate makes me uneasy about Chia's upcoming birthing. How much kid goat loss can one bare. We never named him.
And while many wonderful things happened over this Memorial Day weekend, we were blessed to have another opportunity to try. And try we did. As this Memorial Day comes to a close, I know the reason I have all the opportunities I have is because of those who have served this great country (my own awesome Mom and Dad, thank you Mom and Dad!) - and those who are serving at this time. And for those who are signing up to become the next generation to keep us free and safe. I thank you all. My freedom is because of you. The words Thank You are not enough. My gratitude runs deeper and stronger than I'm even able to express. The losses of those in the military is a hurt I'm unable to wrap my head around - the sacrifices are many. It's all so much bigger that I will ever know. So so grateful, for the brave souls of others. Thank you.
Cyndi
Who doesn't goat this, after all.
Monday, May 27, 2019
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Guest Blogger
Preface:
Shorn. After missing the 2nd annual shearing of our sheep, Lauren assisted with experience, and was also gracious enough to jot down her version. I wanted to note that these two young ladies that came to the farm had scheduled us for 8 am. They communicated all the way up to the day of the appointment, via text, with reminders and requests. They do not miss a beat, and this is what they do for a living. It's worthy to note that they shear many animals, not just sheep. Later that same day, we would find them at a friend's farm shearing their llamas. Llamas who spit and fight, and are a delicate shearing experience due to the need to keep the wool clean and bagged appropriately for the sale of that material. They use knowledge as power, to maintain control of animals far larger than themselves. While they were with us for a matter of 30 minutes, start to finish, their flow is certainly to be commended. I appreciate their dedication to their craft, their reliability, and their communication to the clients. Thanks, Katie and Darian! Nice job. Up next, is Lauren's take on that morning.
Thank you, Lauren. For being there and making it all happen. Couldn't have done it without you that day. Things happen in life that take us away from our routine and plans. And family is here for each other to step in.
The ending is now Shorn. A new word in my vocabulary. A word I've never had the need to use in my life, previous to a farm. The sheep are very content. They are beautiful. They are happy. These are my projections on them, but to my naked eye, it's My Story. Shorn. Until next year.
Cyndi
Shorn. After missing the 2nd annual shearing of our sheep, Lauren assisted with experience, and was also gracious enough to jot down her version. I wanted to note that these two young ladies that came to the farm had scheduled us for 8 am. They communicated all the way up to the day of the appointment, via text, with reminders and requests. They do not miss a beat, and this is what they do for a living. It's worthy to note that they shear many animals, not just sheep. Later that same day, we would find them at a friend's farm shearing their llamas. Llamas who spit and fight, and are a delicate shearing experience due to the need to keep the wool clean and bagged appropriately for the sale of that material. They use knowledge as power, to maintain control of animals far larger than themselves. While they were with us for a matter of 30 minutes, start to finish, their flow is certainly to be commended. I appreciate their dedication to their craft, their reliability, and their communication to the clients. Thanks, Katie and Darian! Nice job. Up next, is Lauren's take on that morning.
The Tao of Shearing
Tao: the path or method
~ Katie and Darian, the ladies of Right Choice Shearing, came to the house at 7:59am. Immediately, their routine began: preparing equipment, changing into their matching jumpsuits, and gathering all supplies needed. I led them to the barn, where the flow of their routine continued.
Wu Wei: effortless action
~ By 8:05am, they were ready. Each of them had fulfilled their pre-shearing obligations. One effortlessly tossed an electrical cord over a ceiling beam in the barn and began to connect the machinery. The other was oiling blades, scoping out the space provided, and determining a plan of action for each animal that would be brought out. By no means is wrangling a sheep effortless, but their actions made it appear effortless due to their practice and preparation.
De: power, virtue, integrity; inner nature that leads one to living the Tao
~ Both women were are able to handle, manipulate, and move these melodramatic sheep in ways that I had never even imagined. They used their full bodies, especially their legs, to keep the animals in certain positions. The power they displayed was impressive and completely badass. They were supporting each other emotionally and verbally throughout. Their flow continued as one handed the other the clippers at the exact moment they needed to be in her hand, as if a dance had just begun.
Yin and yang: every action creates counter-actions
~ The shearing did resemble a dance. Each move one lady made, the other reacted to. Each move the sheep made, the ladies reacted to. I watched them spin the sheep in circles and glide. It felt as if I was watching a live art performance. In reality, I was watching a performance. More so, I was bearing witness to a strengthened relationship between two ladies who knew what the other needed before they even needed it and following their own Tao.
Thank you, Lauren. For being there and making it all happen. Couldn't have done it without you that day. Things happen in life that take us away from our routine and plans. And family is here for each other to step in.
The ending is now Shorn. A new word in my vocabulary. A word I've never had the need to use in my life, previous to a farm. The sheep are very content. They are beautiful. They are happy. These are my projections on them, but to my naked eye, it's My Story. Shorn. Until next year.
Cyndi
Saturday, May 18, 2019
What a week!
Sometimes, when things settle down, they fire up in a different and new way. Last week was a good example of this. It all started with Nona (Ms No Name) head goat extraordinaire, who had a wound on her back, left leg. It was circular and grew fast, became swollen and draining pus all in the blink of an eye. Goats are dirty. This did not help matters. The Vet said (since Nona is smaller and manageable, about 55 lbs) to bring her up to their office for evaluation. So, David and I took Maybe’s dog collar off of her, and put it on Nona. Their necks are the same size, anyway. Then, we attached a dog leash and off we went. Nona traveled in the back of my car, like a dog would, and cried the whole way. Separation from her herd greatly disturbed her. Upon arrival at the vet office, David was the main one assisting with navigating Nona. Carrying, pushing, prodding - as she’s not really good at walking on a leash. Into the office, Nona is maa-ing, sometimes rather loudly, announcing her distressed arrival. The dogs owners and people there find this amusing. Nona doesn’t. When it’s our turn, the Vet sees her wound, debrides it, shaves around it, washes it, and gives her an antibiotic and tetanus shot, and anti-inflammatory serum. I’m then instructed to give her another shot after 3 days, and that is sent home with me. We pay, and are on way back home to reunite the queen goat with her herd. Side note: Nona is our only goat without horns - and she’s in charge. Just saying. Power is not necessarily a physical attribute, as much as attitude and mental strength is. She’s my perfect example. Nona has since been given her second shot. Shout out to David for holding her for me, and her owie is all better. We also were given an antibiotic spray that we used each day (can you see me out in the pasture chasing her around to spray her leg?!). She’s a sweet girl, so I didn’t always have to “chase”, just beat her at the game. Treats. It worked most every time.
That’s how the week started, then ramped up with the 2nd annual sheep shearing event. I’ve decided to consider selling tickets to this event. It’s like nothing you’ve seen before. Side note: When we have people over, most have no idea of what goes on behind the scenes. Lamb births, vet visits, donkey grooming, sheep shearing and so much more. It reminds me of the time I ran the DisneyWorld marathon. Much of the route was in the Park, and we ran behind (and some in front) of all the buildings, rides, and workshops. The people working in the behind-the-scenes places were sewing, mending, creating, and working their a$$es off to make the “front” look so dang good. There are glass windows so you could see them as you ran by. The public is not allowed in those areas and on those roads, when visiting the park. But the marathon gave us a peek into it all. More like an eye-opener. These areas are well-disguised with gates and such, so that patrons don't even realize what's back there. I digress. We are no DisneyWorld, but behind the scenes things happen on the farm - a lot. Even Lauren didn’t know what all really goes down out in the barn. But that would change....
First, let me backtrack a minute. I’ll start by saying it all begin (still in the same week) a tingling and numbness that created a burning and stinging sensation in my legs, primarily down the back of both my legs. Back pain. Then it went into my left arm. There was very little sleeping I could handle, due to this type of pain. It was unrelenting. I was overdosing on ibuprofen just to not cry and tremble. I went to see Dr Richard Brown (in McKinney) who is amazing at handling these types of things, and I trust him impeccably. He has become a family friend who (besides my husband) is the most loyal man I know. He handles these types of problems (back, cervical and hip pain issues). The pain in my back was radiating nerve pain down my legs. The moral of that long assorted story is I would not be available for the sheep shearers. I did not want to cancel it, as the sheep are hot hot hot with their thick wool coats, 80 degree weather and sunshine. I have to get them relief. I then enlisted Lauren’s assistance. She agreed to come early that morning to the farm, to navigate the shearing appointment. (Thank you, Lauren!) I had set up both Barn Cam’s such that David and I could watch- or review video - of this going’s-on, since neither of us could be there. These are our babies, our hearts. It’s like missing our child’s first haircut or first manicure. And, more importantly, Jerry The Sheep Shearer couldn’t come, so I had hired another young lady(s) instead. Yes, Katie, with her side kick, another young lady whose name I didn't get. They are well known in the sheep shearing world (Right Choice Shearing). I had heard about them, and couldn’t wait to see and watch all the hub bub. I was excited they were coming to our place.
It was not meant for me to be there that magical morning, but Lauren was, and I was most grateful for her. I could always reference the Barn Cam though, to watch it all go down in movie form. So that same morning the sheep would be sheared, I am sitting in Dr Brown’s office. He allowed me to spill my story to him, listening and evaluating. Possibly a pinched nerve. He’d order an MRI, to double check things, gave me steroids to decrease inflammation in my back and neck, along with a medication to help with my nerve pain (tingling/burning/numbness). Later that day, I completed the MRI. Now if you know me, your thinking, ‘I wonder if Cyndi over did it with running or biking?’ I’ll start by saying this situation (pain) has not occurred in the past, as this was the first time I have experienced it. No doubt that I've over-done things before when it comes to running and biking. Ironically, I hadn’t, this time. Matter of fact, I couldn’t even figure out how I might have done it - and is likely due to too much relaxing. Just another reason to Go, Man, Go.
So, I’m still in process of getting my own problem figured out. My pain is better, but still there. I’ll keep you posted. Dr Brown is super awesome, and always makes things better. To Be Continued.....
Now the sheep shearing event on the other hand, was handled and completed. Katie, and her cohort shearer came in our barn and rocked it. We had everything ready, as they had instructed us to. Then Lauren handled it all, with them. She’s written her own version of this event, as I would otherwise have transported you through it via video footage. My guest blogger, Lauren Graves (who happens to be an amazing blogger in her own right) will outline it out for you this time. I’m excited to present a different vantage point and perspective, and thank her for sharing it with everyone. Look for that to come.
In the mean time, the sheep are super happy, clean, and have their summer outfits on. They are smooth, and I am able to see exactly what they really look like naked. Freckles, spots, beauty marks and scars. Beautiful. My ewes are gorgeous, each with their own personality and special Baa's. I know whose Baa-ing without even looking at them. ** Thank you to those young ladies who kick butt shearing livestock. Simply fascinating.
As I'm feeling better, and back to moving more again, it feels good. That type of experience is God's way of saying 'and this, My Friend, is how others might feel' - which continues to fill my cup with empathy and understanding for what people go through. Luckily, mine is resolving and feeling good again feels great! God is Good.
Cyndi
That’s how the week started, then ramped up with the 2nd annual sheep shearing event. I’ve decided to consider selling tickets to this event. It’s like nothing you’ve seen before. Side note: When we have people over, most have no idea of what goes on behind the scenes. Lamb births, vet visits, donkey grooming, sheep shearing and so much more. It reminds me of the time I ran the DisneyWorld marathon. Much of the route was in the Park, and we ran behind (and some in front) of all the buildings, rides, and workshops. The people working in the behind-the-scenes places were sewing, mending, creating, and working their a$$es off to make the “front” look so dang good. There are glass windows so you could see them as you ran by. The public is not allowed in those areas and on those roads, when visiting the park. But the marathon gave us a peek into it all. More like an eye-opener. These areas are well-disguised with gates and such, so that patrons don't even realize what's back there. I digress. We are no DisneyWorld, but behind the scenes things happen on the farm - a lot. Even Lauren didn’t know what all really goes down out in the barn. But that would change....
First, let me backtrack a minute. I’ll start by saying it all begin (still in the same week) a tingling and numbness that created a burning and stinging sensation in my legs, primarily down the back of both my legs. Back pain. Then it went into my left arm. There was very little sleeping I could handle, due to this type of pain. It was unrelenting. I was overdosing on ibuprofen just to not cry and tremble. I went to see Dr Richard Brown (in McKinney) who is amazing at handling these types of things, and I trust him impeccably. He has become a family friend who (besides my husband) is the most loyal man I know. He handles these types of problems (back, cervical and hip pain issues). The pain in my back was radiating nerve pain down my legs. The moral of that long assorted story is I would not be available for the sheep shearers. I did not want to cancel it, as the sheep are hot hot hot with their thick wool coats, 80 degree weather and sunshine. I have to get them relief. I then enlisted Lauren’s assistance. She agreed to come early that morning to the farm, to navigate the shearing appointment. (Thank you, Lauren!) I had set up both Barn Cam’s such that David and I could watch- or review video - of this going’s-on, since neither of us could be there. These are our babies, our hearts. It’s like missing our child’s first haircut or first manicure. And, more importantly, Jerry The Sheep Shearer couldn’t come, so I had hired another young lady(s) instead. Yes, Katie, with her side kick, another young lady whose name I didn't get. They are well known in the sheep shearing world (Right Choice Shearing). I had heard about them, and couldn’t wait to see and watch all the hub bub. I was excited they were coming to our place.
It was not meant for me to be there that magical morning, but Lauren was, and I was most grateful for her. I could always reference the Barn Cam though, to watch it all go down in movie form. So that same morning the sheep would be sheared, I am sitting in Dr Brown’s office. He allowed me to spill my story to him, listening and evaluating. Possibly a pinched nerve. He’d order an MRI, to double check things, gave me steroids to decrease inflammation in my back and neck, along with a medication to help with my nerve pain (tingling/burning/numbness). Later that day, I completed the MRI. Now if you know me, your thinking, ‘I wonder if Cyndi over did it with running or biking?’ I’ll start by saying this situation (pain) has not occurred in the past, as this was the first time I have experienced it. No doubt that I've over-done things before when it comes to running and biking. Ironically, I hadn’t, this time. Matter of fact, I couldn’t even figure out how I might have done it - and is likely due to too much relaxing. Just another reason to Go, Man, Go.
So, I’m still in process of getting my own problem figured out. My pain is better, but still there. I’ll keep you posted. Dr Brown is super awesome, and always makes things better. To Be Continued.....
Now the sheep shearing event on the other hand, was handled and completed. Katie, and her cohort shearer came in our barn and rocked it. We had everything ready, as they had instructed us to. Then Lauren handled it all, with them. She’s written her own version of this event, as I would otherwise have transported you through it via video footage. My guest blogger, Lauren Graves (who happens to be an amazing blogger in her own right) will outline it out for you this time. I’m excited to present a different vantage point and perspective, and thank her for sharing it with everyone. Look for that to come.
In the mean time, the sheep are super happy, clean, and have their summer outfits on. They are smooth, and I am able to see exactly what they really look like naked. Freckles, spots, beauty marks and scars. Beautiful. My ewes are gorgeous, each with their own personality and special Baa's. I know whose Baa-ing without even looking at them. ** Thank you to those young ladies who kick butt shearing livestock. Simply fascinating.
As I'm feeling better, and back to moving more again, it feels good. That type of experience is God's way of saying 'and this, My Friend, is how others might feel' - which continues to fill my cup with empathy and understanding for what people go through. Luckily, mine is resolving and feeling good again feels great! God is Good.
Cyndi
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
List
The great thing about having a husband that reads your blog is, that when you make a list of "things your feeling the need to do" on your blog, and he reads it, then all of a sudden, he's doing those things. That happened, and was completely unexpected. My last blog of giving an example in a day of my life, inside my head, and what all was on my mental To Do list - was all that was needed to have those things completed. David has practically single handedly set about getting those things completed. And I thank him so very much. I am grateful that he is a take-action-kind-of-guy, and just does things like that, and I appreciate it more than he knows. The donkeys got their Pour On fly repellant (well, Papa is a tough one to get it on him because he's not a fan), we mucked the stalls and chicken areas, we mowed, and David screwed the guard pups dog bowls into the fence (silly dogs). The cat's tail has been checked, and double checked to ensure it's healing okay and in addition we did paint the newly fenced sections and gates. David even topped it all off with making a wooden fence thingie that goes around our air conditioner, so it's not such an eye sore. He makes most everything seem easy to do. Lay flagstone on the patio? Done. Ask and you shall receive. Thank you for always making things so fast, and making what is hard, look easy.
All this has me thinking lately about To Do lists. Sometimes I write them down, other times I keep them in my head. But lately, I've really been thinking about this concept of Checklist. I recently listened to the audio book, Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin. A few years back I went to a book signing of hers in Plano, when I first started reading one of her books, The Happiness Project. After writing a few more books all related to happiness, she has written Outer Order, Inner Calm, which is a quick read and her newest book about making more room in our lives for happiness. It's a book you'd read and think, 'I know this already, thanks for reminding me'. I did find many nuggets in this book, one being the difference between To Do list and Checklist. I have never in my whole life given these lists much thought, but there's such a huge difference in them. A subtle, but big difference. Why have I not utilized it to my own advantage? My whole life has been To-Do listing, and I've left out Checklist, like it was some foreign bad disease or something.
Finally, something has reached inside me and decided that maybe Checklist could help me out. I'm not exactly sure yet, but I'm in the process of figuring it out. Gretchen Rubin's book somehow lit a lightbulb inside me: Checklist - Documented process, for something you do regularly - or daily. How to do a particular process. It could be a Check List for going on vacation (what to pack every time) or taking the boat out (processes, needed items and things to bring each time). Checklist are used in our work places on a regular basis, sometimes not actually called a Checklist, but they are. MeThinks I've underestimated the power of the Checklist. Note to self: Cultivate where you may benefit from Checklist in your life.
Now, To-Do lists are my jam. Written or mental, I like them a lot. They help me create order, certainly help me remember things, and remind me - which I find very important at this particular time in my life. To Do list are a very ad lib thing for me, adding and subtracting from it, very fluid and typically ephemeral. Yes, sometimes it can get too long, so I try to keep it manageable and what should/might be at the top of the priority chain. None the less, To Do list are my go-to for all things that need to be outlined, noted and for lack of a better word.....listed out. Spelled out in front of me. It's motivation, it's about completion, and it's just fun to cross things off as you do them. It helps me feel a sense of accomplishment. Plus I don't tend to overlook things when there's a list. What I meant to say was, forget to do them.
Back to the "vs" part of this. For me, defining the difference between the Checklist vs the To Do list is where it get interesting (Lauren's favorite word - "That's interesting"). When you are using a Checklist, that's effectively acting like a To Do list, right? Building a list of steps you might want to perform (repeatedly for effective time management) is a Checklist. But when you're using the Checklist, it has become like a To Do list. After all, it is a list of what to do.
Does it really matter? An effective Checklist could help me get things done the right way, the first time. This could save me time. Not having to rethink things I do on a regular basis, and having it spelled out on a Checklist has the potential to make life easier, and provide time back in my life. Time that I spend thinking and rethinking the processes that I do regularly. Why not make a Checklist for those things, and make it a no-brainer? I feel like Checklist have the potential to bring a little quality to some of the processes I do around here. My To Do list are not nearly as structured as a Checklist could be. Yeah, I would need to put time into making these so called Checklist. But then it's done - and can be easily referenced for future time savings.
I don't know if I'm sold yet on it. I'm going to have to put more thought into this. I've already begun a slow (and I mean slow) journey to having a place for everything, and everything in it's place. I thought I had been living my life like that. But, no, not really. That was just a story I would tell myself, and a belief I had - that has been recently burst. Did you see The Home Edit's new book? Oh my gawd. I follow them on Insta, and can't even believe organizing like that can look like art. But it does. The organization of the things in our house can bring about less chaotic feelings, inner calm and the ability to find things when your need them - or are looking for them. How much time have I wasted in my life looking for things?! Too much, likely. If The Home Edit and organizing podcasts/books weren't so popular, I may not feel so bad about it all. I didn't used to.
Part of it all is that as I age, I need this type of organization. To know where things are, what I have, what I don't have. How not to have too much stuff in the pantry ("store it at the store", thank you Gretchen Rubin) and how clutter attracts clutter. If I can't find it, I won't use it. I have literally been focusing on discarding and rightsizing my things now for a few years. Now, I'm getting to a stage of organizing it better. Having things at my fingertips - and knowing where things are (and putting them back in their place after they have been used - kudos to David with great progress in that area) are two things that ring my bell. The less I have, the easier that is.
Luckily, in these days of Organization (jazz hands) and Minimal Living (I'm so trying, without great success, as it's an ongoing process for sure) I love the opportunity it brings of education and awareness. We all will find our own ways of creating order and maintaining our things. I surge forward in it all, then coast awhile. But I really love that there are so many resources available to pick from and gain great ideas from which to improve upon managing all our things.
And while my To Do list tell me what I'm supposed to do, my potential Checklist serves to ask me if I've done what's supposed to have been done. I'm going to have to let this all marinate a little more before I decide on investing my time into Checklist. I think I will, just not sure where to start. Kind of like my laundry room shelves. I bought the new plastic bins to provide new homes for things. But where to start. You know, I have to be in the mood to do it, or it just ends up looking like I threw it all together. I'm waiting for the mood to strike.
Cyndi
Childhood Reflection Note:
I remember that each weekend we would either "do the yard" or "clean out the garage" - and sometimes, both. We had a two car garage, and from what I recall, a car never fit inside the garage because it was full of stuff. Lots of stuff. As a child, I never understood why we were continually "cleaning out the garage", only because we never seemed to be cleaning it, but just moving it all around instead. I feel like my Dad really might have been saying, 'Let's organize the garage' and it came out as 'Let's clean the garage'. Each time we cleaned the garage, we would move it all around, barely fitting in the space to do so, and by the time we were done - it looked like it did when we started. Sometimes, when Dad was feeling extra rambunctious, we would take everything out of the garage, and then we would put it all back in, like putting a puzzle together that never really fit. I don't remember us getting rid of things, and it seemed more like we kept a lot of things that we did not use. These are all memories, and I was young, so I likely don't have the story straight. But I can see that garage in my head, and no matter what, you better turn the light on when you walked in it - because there were only certain pathways to move around it. That image is what I now refer to as Clutterclumuation. That garage was a magnet for all things. I decided at a young age that I did not want to spend weekends cleaning out the garage. Now, when in doubt, I toss it out (recycle or rehome it). If I'm not using it, it needs to go. It's a work in progress, as I have to continually keep going through it all and doing this. It's not a one-time thing. It's a progression and over time, areas with clutter are gone through, and then gone through again. It takes time to let go. This all was a valuable lesson I learned young. Thanks, Dad.
All this has me thinking lately about To Do lists. Sometimes I write them down, other times I keep them in my head. But lately, I've really been thinking about this concept of Checklist. I recently listened to the audio book, Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin. A few years back I went to a book signing of hers in Plano, when I first started reading one of her books, The Happiness Project. After writing a few more books all related to happiness, she has written Outer Order, Inner Calm, which is a quick read and her newest book about making more room in our lives for happiness. It's a book you'd read and think, 'I know this already, thanks for reminding me'. I did find many nuggets in this book, one being the difference between To Do list and Checklist. I have never in my whole life given these lists much thought, but there's such a huge difference in them. A subtle, but big difference. Why have I not utilized it to my own advantage? My whole life has been To-Do listing, and I've left out Checklist, like it was some foreign bad disease or something.
Finally, something has reached inside me and decided that maybe Checklist could help me out. I'm not exactly sure yet, but I'm in the process of figuring it out. Gretchen Rubin's book somehow lit a lightbulb inside me: Checklist - Documented process, for something you do regularly - or daily. How to do a particular process. It could be a Check List for going on vacation (what to pack every time) or taking the boat out (processes, needed items and things to bring each time). Checklist are used in our work places on a regular basis, sometimes not actually called a Checklist, but they are. MeThinks I've underestimated the power of the Checklist. Note to self: Cultivate where you may benefit from Checklist in your life.
Now, To-Do lists are my jam. Written or mental, I like them a lot. They help me create order, certainly help me remember things, and remind me - which I find very important at this particular time in my life. To Do list are a very ad lib thing for me, adding and subtracting from it, very fluid and typically ephemeral. Yes, sometimes it can get too long, so I try to keep it manageable and what should/might be at the top of the priority chain. None the less, To Do list are my go-to for all things that need to be outlined, noted and for lack of a better word.....listed out. Spelled out in front of me. It's motivation, it's about completion, and it's just fun to cross things off as you do them. It helps me feel a sense of accomplishment. Plus I don't tend to overlook things when there's a list. What I meant to say was, forget to do them.
Back to the "vs" part of this. For me, defining the difference between the Checklist vs the To Do list is where it get interesting (Lauren's favorite word - "That's interesting"). When you are using a Checklist, that's effectively acting like a To Do list, right? Building a list of steps you might want to perform (repeatedly for effective time management) is a Checklist. But when you're using the Checklist, it has become like a To Do list. After all, it is a list of what to do.
Does it really matter? An effective Checklist could help me get things done the right way, the first time. This could save me time. Not having to rethink things I do on a regular basis, and having it spelled out on a Checklist has the potential to make life easier, and provide time back in my life. Time that I spend thinking and rethinking the processes that I do regularly. Why not make a Checklist for those things, and make it a no-brainer? I feel like Checklist have the potential to bring a little quality to some of the processes I do around here. My To Do list are not nearly as structured as a Checklist could be. Yeah, I would need to put time into making these so called Checklist. But then it's done - and can be easily referenced for future time savings.
I don't know if I'm sold yet on it. I'm going to have to put more thought into this. I've already begun a slow (and I mean slow) journey to having a place for everything, and everything in it's place. I thought I had been living my life like that. But, no, not really. That was just a story I would tell myself, and a belief I had - that has been recently burst. Did you see The Home Edit's new book? Oh my gawd. I follow them on Insta, and can't even believe organizing like that can look like art. But it does. The organization of the things in our house can bring about less chaotic feelings, inner calm and the ability to find things when your need them - or are looking for them. How much time have I wasted in my life looking for things?! Too much, likely. If The Home Edit and organizing podcasts/books weren't so popular, I may not feel so bad about it all. I didn't used to.
Part of it all is that as I age, I need this type of organization. To know where things are, what I have, what I don't have. How not to have too much stuff in the pantry ("store it at the store", thank you Gretchen Rubin) and how clutter attracts clutter. If I can't find it, I won't use it. I have literally been focusing on discarding and rightsizing my things now for a few years. Now, I'm getting to a stage of organizing it better. Having things at my fingertips - and knowing where things are (and putting them back in their place after they have been used - kudos to David with great progress in that area) are two things that ring my bell. The less I have, the easier that is.
Luckily, in these days of Organization (jazz hands) and Minimal Living (I'm so trying, without great success, as it's an ongoing process for sure) I love the opportunity it brings of education and awareness. We all will find our own ways of creating order and maintaining our things. I surge forward in it all, then coast awhile. But I really love that there are so many resources available to pick from and gain great ideas from which to improve upon managing all our things.
And while my To Do list tell me what I'm supposed to do, my potential Checklist serves to ask me if I've done what's supposed to have been done. I'm going to have to let this all marinate a little more before I decide on investing my time into Checklist. I think I will, just not sure where to start. Kind of like my laundry room shelves. I bought the new plastic bins to provide new homes for things. But where to start. You know, I have to be in the mood to do it, or it just ends up looking like I threw it all together. I'm waiting for the mood to strike.
Cyndi
Childhood Reflection Note:
I remember that each weekend we would either "do the yard" or "clean out the garage" - and sometimes, both. We had a two car garage, and from what I recall, a car never fit inside the garage because it was full of stuff. Lots of stuff. As a child, I never understood why we were continually "cleaning out the garage", only because we never seemed to be cleaning it, but just moving it all around instead. I feel like my Dad really might have been saying, 'Let's organize the garage' and it came out as 'Let's clean the garage'. Each time we cleaned the garage, we would move it all around, barely fitting in the space to do so, and by the time we were done - it looked like it did when we started. Sometimes, when Dad was feeling extra rambunctious, we would take everything out of the garage, and then we would put it all back in, like putting a puzzle together that never really fit. I don't remember us getting rid of things, and it seemed more like we kept a lot of things that we did not use. These are all memories, and I was young, so I likely don't have the story straight. But I can see that garage in my head, and no matter what, you better turn the light on when you walked in it - because there were only certain pathways to move around it. That image is what I now refer to as Clutterclumuation. That garage was a magnet for all things. I decided at a young age that I did not want to spend weekends cleaning out the garage. Now, when in doubt, I toss it out (recycle or rehome it). If I'm not using it, it needs to go. It's a work in progress, as I have to continually keep going through it all and doing this. It's not a one-time thing. It's a progression and over time, areas with clutter are gone through, and then gone through again. It takes time to let go. This all was a valuable lesson I learned young. Thanks, Dad.
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